Water-tight zipper with two slides

ABSTRACT

A water-tight zipper ( 2 ) has two slides ( 7, 8 ) and comprises two halves, each half comprising a zipper ribbon and zipper teeth which can be closed or separated by means of the slides. In the closed state of the zipper, the slides ( 7, 8 ) are sealingly arranged next to one another or lie next to one or more at least in part common sealing elements.

The present invention relates to a water-tight two-slider zipper according to the preamble of claim 1.

Two-slider zippers are generally used as surrounding zippers on containers, bags, suitcases and the like. Such a zipper for hard suitcases is known from the document DE 203 01 888 U1, said zipper being devised to be water-tight and the sliders of said zipper sealingly interlocking in the closed condition. Alternatively, a one-slider zipper for which a sealing receiving member is provided is shown. The document WO 03/032764 A2 shows a surrounding one-slider zipper that can be completely unzipped.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a water-tight two-slider zipper having an improved tightness in the closed position.

This object is solved with the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1. Developments and advantageous implementations of the invention are comprised in the other claims.

In accordance with the invention, a water-tight two-slider zipper consisting of two zipper halves that are each formed from a strip of tape and from teeth and are closed or separated by means of said sliders is characterized in that, in the closed condition of the zipper, the sliders fit sealingly against each other or against one or a plurality of sealing elements that are at least in parts common to both.

According to a preferred implementation of the invention, the two zipper halves comprise one or a plurality of sealing elements that are each solidly connected thereto. Said sealing element or elements advantageously comprise one or a plurality of sealing lips. The sealing lip or lips are preferably arranged parallel to the surface of the strips of tape and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the zipper. The sealing lip or lips are preferably connected to the sealing lips of the zipper. According to an advantageous implementation of the invention, the sliders apply a pressure from the side and/or from the top to the sealing lips of the zipper in the region of their connection with the sealing lip or lips in the closed condition.

According to a preferred implementation of the invention, a sealingly formed contact point is interposed between the sliders in the closed condition of the zipper. Advantageously, the sealing lips of the zipper are connected to said contact point. Preferably, the sliders clampingly engage the contact point in the closed condition of the zipper, said contact point forming a raised portion and said sliders having a contour conforming to said raised portion, said contour being clamped or pressed to fit against said raised portion in the closed condition of the zipper.

For the closed position of the sliders, there is preferably provided a blocking device that may be a securing pin, a lock or a screw closure but may also consist of eccentric levers or may be integrated into, or integral with, the zipper pulls.

The sealing element or elements are preferably injection moulded or vulcanized thereon.

According to an advantageous implementation of the invention, the strips of tape are joined together in the sealing region between the sliders. This occurs by welding for example. The ends of the zipper halves may also be welded to a cut piece of water-tight fabric.

According to a preferred implementation of the invention, the zipper is configured to be an annular closure member. At least one stopper device is provided for the sliders. It is preferred that the stopper device be sealingly disposed in a notch of the strips of tape and that it be realasable by screwing or the like. The notch may serve to introduce the sliders.

The water-tight two-slider zipper of the invention is mainly used as a surrounding zipper on containers, bags or suitcases, also on hard suitcases.

The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following description made by way of example with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a water-tight zipper without a slider;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the water-tight zipper of FIG. 1 with two sliders;

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 3 with folded pulls;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of two sliders in the closed position (without zipper).

FIG. 1 shows a water-tight zipper 2 in closed condition connecting two halves of a container 1 such as a suitcase. The zipper is injection moulded or extruded thereon. It shows that part of the zipper 2 at which the sliders 7, 8 meet in the closed position (FIGS. 2 through 5). For this purpose, the zippers 2 are provided at these ends with horseshoe-shaped receiving members 5 with sealing lips enclosing a core region, as they are described in the document WO 03/037132 A2 of the same applicant for example. In the implementation illustrated herein, the receiving members overlap at their front ends and are shortened by this portion, thus having a dense contour. The receiving members 5 are made from two parts each so that they may be parted like the zipper 2. Two opposing halves of the receiving members may be injection moulded in one piece. On this overlapping region, the receiving members 5 have a raised contact point 6 the function of which will be described herein after. At their root, meaning at their connection with the zipper 2, the receiving members have widened pressure points 4 against which the sides of the sliders clampingly fit in the closed condition. A water-tight cut part 3 is welded to the underside of the connecting region.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the zipper of FIG. 1 with two sliders 7, 8 and their pullers 7′, 8′. The FIGS. 3 through 5 clearly show the functions of the two sliders 7, 8 in the closed condition. In a known way, the sliders 7, 8 consist of a lower plate 9, an upper plate 10, both plates having the downward directed sides 10′ for closing the zipper, as well as a core (not shown) for opening the rows of teeth of the zipper connecting the lower and the upper plate 9, 10 in the longitudinal axis thereof. The sliders 7, 8 shown here are configured for mutual engagement and for engagement with the raised contact point 6 in the overlapping region of the receiving member 5. At their front ends, the sliders have symmetrically configured recesses into which projections 7″, 8″ of the respectively other slider 7, 8 engage. The projections 7″, 8″ have holes 11 that are aligned in the closed condition and an eye for a pin or a closure for example. In the region of the raised contact point 6, the sliders have a dome 12, both domes 12 forming an approximately hemispherical shape by which they fit clampingly against and on the contact point 6. Each slider 7, 8 has an eccentric lever 13. The pulls 7′, 8′ are constructed in such a manner that a pull 8′ has a stepped contour for it to be capable of fitting flush as shown in FIG. 3 on the other pull 7′. 

1. A water-tight zipper (2) with two sliders (7, 8) consisting of two zipper halves that are each formed from a strip of tape and from teeth and are closed or separated by means of said sliders, characterized in that, in the closed condition of the zipper, said sliders (7, 8) fit sealingly against each other or against one or a plurality of sealing elements that are at least in parts common to both.
 2. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the two zipper halves comprise one or a plurality of sealing elements that are each solidly connected therewith.
 3. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the sealing element or elements comprise one or a plurality of sealing lips.
 4. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that the sealing lip or lips are arranged parallel to the surface of the strips of tape and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the zipper.
 5. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that the sealing lip or lips are connected to sealing lips of the zipper.
 6. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the sliders apply a pressure from the side and/or from the top to the sealing lips of the zipper in the region of their connection with the sealing lip or lips in the closed condition.
 7. The water-tight zipper as set forth claim 1, characterized in that, in the closed condition of the zipper, a sealing contact point (6) is interposed between the sliders (7, 8).
 8. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that the sealing lips of the zipper are connected to the contact point (6).
 9. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that, in the closed condition of the zipper, the sliders (7, 8) are clampingly engaged with the contact point.
 10. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that the contact point (6) forms a raised portion.
 11. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 10, characterized in that the sliders (7, 8) comprise a contour (12) conforming to the raised portion, said contour being clamped or pressed to fit against said raised portion in the closed condition of the zipper.
 12. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that a blocking device is provided for the closure position of the sliders.
 13. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that the blocking device is a securing pin, a lock or a screw closure.
 14. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that the blocking device consists of eccentric levers.
 15. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that the blocking device is integrated into, or integral with, the pullers of the sliders.
 16. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the sealing element or elements are injection moulded or vulcanized thereon.
 17. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the strips of tape are joined together in the sealing region between the sliders.
 18. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 17, characterized in that the connection is obtained by welding.
 19. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 17, characterized in that the ends of the zipper halves are welded together with a cut piece of water-tight fabric (3).
 20. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the zipper is configured to be a ring closure.
 21. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that there is provided at least one stopper device for the sliders.
 22. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 21, characterized in that the stopper device is sealingly disposed in a notch provided in the strips of tape.
 23. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 22, characterized in that the stopper device is disposed in the notch so as to be releasable through screwing or the like.
 24. The water-tight zipper as set forth in claim 22, characterized in that the notch serves for introducing the sliders.
 25. A container, bag or suitcase with a surrounding water-tight zipper as defined in claim
 1. 